COLUMBIA -- Jackson and Springfield Glendale aren't regular opponents in girls basketball -- the teams have met just once -- but they certainly won't be strangers when they hook up for the second time.

That meeting will come at 12:20 p.m. today at the Hearnes Center in Columbia. The occasion will be a semifinal game of the Class 4A High School Championships and the winner will earn a berth in Saturday's state championship contest.

Jackson and Glendale also met in the Class 4A Final Four last season. The Falcons ended an otherwise glorious season for the Lady Indians on a down note as they prevailed 71-66 in the championship game.

This time, the matchup will come one game earlier, in the semifinals. But the stakes will be just as high.

"Everybody is really excited," said Jackson's Shannon Perry, one of three senior starters -- and two returning all-staters -- for the Lady Indians. "I think last year's experience will really help us this year. All the girls know what to expect."

On paper at least, Jackson might rate as the favorite today because the Lady Indians return four starters from last year while the Falcons lost some of their top players, including high school All-American Tara Mitchem, who went on to Ohio State.

But Jackson coach Ron Cook believes the game will be up for grabs.

"They've just got a very good program and a very good coach," said Cook. "Last year they beat us outside. They lost those girls, but they have their inside girls back. It's going to be a tough game for both teams."

The teams certainly have impressive credentials. Jackson, in the Final Four for the third straight season, is 26-2. The Lady Indians are an almost mind-boggling 154-14 over the last six years.

Glendale is 26-3 this year and a dazzling 115-21 over the past five seasons.

"I know they're real experienced and they've had a great year," said Glendale coach Nyla Milleson of the Lady Indians. "Last year was a really tough game and it should be again."

The Falcons feature a young lineup, with one senior, one junior, two sophomores and one freshman.

Two starters returned from last year in 6-foot-2 junior Katie Handley and 5-9 senior Kim Lenahan. They average 9.1 and 8.3 points per game, respectively. Lenahan also has a team-high 120 assists.

Glendale's leading scorer is 5-10 sophomore Carrie Colwell at 15.4 points per game. Rounding out the starting lineup are 5-8 sophomore Jessica Shultz (6.9 ppg) and 5-6 freshman Sara Stratton (8.4 ppg).

A key player off the bench is 6-foot senior Nikki Stock (5.1 ppg), who leads the squad in rebounding at five per contest.

"I don't know that anybody else expected us to get this far after losing three starters, but I think we expected it out of ourselves," Milleson said. "I think the kids have kind of rallied under those maybe not high expectations of us."

Jackson probably did expect to get this far again, what with its four returning regulars.

Leading the way offensively for the Lady Indians have been 5-11 senior two-time all-stater Michele Millham (14 ppg, team-high 5.9 rpg), 5-10 junior Christa Millham (11.4 ppg, team-high 74 assists) and the 5-10 Perry (10 ppg).

Michele Millham scored 24 points and Perry had 18 during last year's loss to Glendale.

Rounding out the starting lineup are 5-8 senior Mindy Myers (6.9 ppg) and 5-6 junior Dana Eakins (5.2 ppg).

As evidence of the Lady Indians' balance, Myers has led Jackson in scoring the last two games with 30 points.

"All the girls have done a good job," Cook said. "Mindy has really picked up her game and that's what it's going to take, a really good team effort to win state."

Among those coming off the bench to help the Lady Indians have been 6-foot junior Amanda Ellis and three 5-9 sophomores: Chrissi Glastetter, Jamie Heitz and Melissa Palmer.

"I feel good about things," said Cook. "This team is focused. I think we're ready to go up there and play well."

For the Lady Indians -- particularly their seniors -- a state title would be the ultimate way to end this magnificent three-year run.

"Our experience should definitely help us out," said Myers. "We're going up there to win it all."

Class 4A Final Four

Hearnes Center, Columbia

Today's Games

Jackson (26-2) vs. Springfield Glendale (26-3), 12:20 p.m.

SL Gateway Tech (25-0) vs. Blue Springs (19-10), 2 p.m.

Saturday's Games

Third place, 12:30 p.m.

Championship, 2:10 p.m.